Cicero

Cicero lived at a time of civil war in Rome at the turn of the first century BC. He argued, much as the Puritans argued in the civil war in England, that “there are certain duties we owe even to those who have wronged us” (On Duties 1:11-13).

Cicero argued that “the rights of war must be strictly observed” by which he meant:

1. That war is a last resort after all forms of discussion have been tried.
2. That victors should be merciful: “we should spare those who have not been barbarous in their warfare”.
3. The purpose of war is to secure lasting peace “that shall not admit of guile”.
4. The conduct of war should be governed by humane laws.
5. That war should be only conducted after due warning and formal declaration.
6. That promises made to the enemy must always be kept.

Cicero also provides us with an interesting story:

“Our forefathers also give us another striking example of justice towards the enemy: when a deserter from Pyrrhus offered to administer poison to the King and thus work his death, the Senate delivered the deserter to Pyrrhus, thus they stamped their own disapproval on the treacherous murder even of an enemy.”

An interesting example has emerged recently of a double agent who spoke fluent German and won the confidence of the senior Nazi leadership. He made an offer to Churchill to become a suicide bomber, so ensuring the death of Hitler. Churchill turned the offer down, perhaps because, like Cicero, it offended against his view of justice in war.